Russia files piracy charges against Greenpeace

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the Norwegian Arctic at the Apollo Prospect of the Barents Sea, close to the Bear Island nature reserve. less

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the ... more

Photo: WILL ROSE / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the Norwegian Arctic at the Apollo Prospect of the Barents Sea, close to the Bear Island nature reserve. less

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the ... more

Photo: WILL ROSE / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the Norwegian Arctic at the Apollo Prospect of the Barents Sea, close to the Bear Island nature reserve. less

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the ... more

Photo: WILL ROSE / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the Norwegian Arctic at the Apollo Prospect of the Barents Sea, close to the Bear Island nature reserve. less

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries scale and occupy Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the ... more

Photo: WILL ROSE / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activists from eight countries climb the Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the Norwegian Arctic at the Apollo Prospect of the Barents Sea, close to the Bear Island nature reserve. less

Greenpeace International activists from eight countries climb the Statoil contracted oil rig Transocean Spitsbergen on May 27, 2014 to protest the company's plans to drill the northernmost well in the ... more

Photo: WILL ROSE / AFP/Getty Images

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Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom to drill in the Pechora Sea. Greenpeace said they were removed after five hours. less

Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig ... more

Photo: Bas Beentjes / Associated Press

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Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom to drill in the Pechora Sea. Greenpeace said they were removed after five hours. less

Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig ... more

Photo: Bas Beentjes / Associated Press

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Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom to drill in the Pechora Sea. Greenpeace said they were removed after five hours. less

Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig ... more

Photo: Bas Beentjes / Associated Press

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Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom to drill in the Pechora Sea. Greenpeace said they were removed after five hours. less

Activists board a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig ... more

Photo: Bas Beentjes / Associated Press

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Activists boarding a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom to drill in the Pechora Sea. Greenpeace said they were removed after five hours. less

Activists boarding a rig contracted by Russia's Gazprom in the port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Greenpeace said 30 activists in the Dutch port of IJmuiden on Tuesday boarded a rig ... more

Photo: Bas Beentjes / Associated Press

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Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are ... more

Photo: Marten van Dijl / AP

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Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, left, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, left, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace ... more

Photo: Ruben Neugebauer / AP

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Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, right, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, right, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace ... more

Photo: Ruben Neugebauer / AP

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Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, left, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, left, in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace ... more

Photo: Ruben Neugebauer / AP

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Greenpeace shows the Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Greenpeace shows the Greenpeace ship Esperanza, paragliders and Greenpeace inflatable boats protest near the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in the harbor of Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. ... more

Photo: Ruben Neugebauer / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Dutch police look on as Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. less

Dutch police look on as Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace ... more

Photo: Marten van Dijl / AP

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The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior showing a banner reading: 'No Arctic Oil' as Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, seen in the background, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Greenpeace International activists are attempting to prevent a Russian tanker carrying the first oil from a new offshore platform in the Arctic from mooring at Rotterdam Port. The environmental group said Thursday it has sent two ships, Rainbow Warrior III and Esperanza, plus rubber rafts, paragliders and activists on shore, to meet the Mikhail Ulyanov, a tanker chartered by Russia's state-controlled oil company, Gazprom OAO. (AP Photo/Marten van Dijl, Greenpeace) NO SALES, NO ARCHIVE less

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior showing a banner reading: 'No Arctic Oil' as Greenpeace activists aboard inflatable boats paint 'No Arctic Oil' on the side of the Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker, seen in the ... more

Photo: Marten van Dijl / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker travels from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling platform in the Pechora Sea to Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker travels from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling platform in the Pechora Sea to Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Photo: Dmitrij Leltschuk / AP/Greenpeace

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The Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker travels from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling platform in the Pechora Sea to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greenpeace International said Monday it has sent the 'Rainbow Warrior III' to protest the arrival of the Russian-flagged tanker that is bringing the first oil produced at a new Russian offshore platform in the Arctic circle to Rotterdam. less

The Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker travels from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling platform in the Pechora Sea to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greenpeace International said Monday it has sent the 'Rainbow Warrior III' to ... more

Photo: Dmitrij Leltschuk / AP/Greenpeace

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Greenpeace activists Roman Dolgov from Russia (left) and Joerg Feddern from Germany sit in an airplane observing the Russian-flagged Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker on its way from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling platform in the Pechora Sea to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greenpeace International said Monday it has sent the 'Rainbow Warrior III' to protest the arrival of a tanker that is bringing the first oil produced at a new Russian offshore platform in the Arctic circle to Rotterdam. Greenpeace spokesman Arin de Hoog could not immediately say when the two vessels are expected to meet and what form the protest will take. less

Greenpeace activists Roman Dolgov from Russia (left) and Joerg Feddern from Germany sit in an airplane observing the Russian-flagged Mikhail Ulyanov oil tanker on its way from the Prirazlomnaya oil drilling ... more

Photo: Dmitrij Leltschuk / AP/Greenpeace

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Greenpeace International activist and the captain of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise Peter Willcox of the U.S. looks on after he was released from "Kresty" Csosses prison, background, in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. less

Greenpeace International activist and the captain of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise Peter Willcox of the U.S. looks on after he was released from "Kresty" Csosses prison, background, in St.Petersburg, ... more

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Russian photographer Denis Sinyakov raises his fist as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested campaigners.

Russian photographer Denis Sinyakov raises his fist as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested campaigners.

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Faiza Oulahsen (right) from the Netherlands celebrates after being granted bail during a hearing at Primorskiy Court in Saint Petersburg on November 20, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to five more Greenpeace campaigners detained for a protest in the Arctic, including the US captain of its campaign ship, bringing to 17 the number of activists set to walk free after two months in prison. less

Greenpeace International activist Faiza Oulahsen (right) from the Netherlands celebrates after being granted bail during a hearing at Primorskiy Court in Saint Petersburg on November 20, 2013. A Russian court ... more

Photo: DMITRI SHAROMOV / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Cristian D'Alessandro makes the victory sign from inside a car while holding a sign reading "You can't sink a rainbow" as he leaves the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg after being released on bail on November 21, 2013. less

Greenpeace International activist Cristian D'Alessandro makes the victory sign from inside a car while holding a sign reading "You can't sink a rainbow" as he leaves the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint ... more

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Sini Saarela from Finland celebrates after being released on bail from the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, 2013. Russia released several Greenpeace activists on bail as President Vladimir Putin said the group had noble motives for their Arctic protest. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Greenpeace International activist Sini Saarela from Finland celebrates after being released on bail from the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, 2013. Russia released several Greenpeace ... more

Photo: IGOR PODGORNY / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Cristian D'Alessandro (right) of Italy leaves the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg after being released on bail on November 21, 2013.

Greenpeace International activist Cristian D'Alessandro (right) of Italy leaves the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg after being released on bail on November 21, 2013.

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Alexandra Harris (center), from the United Kingdom, arrives flanked by police at a hearing in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg. Russian court granted bail Wednesday to three foreign Greenpeace activists who were detained for a protest against oil drilling, the first non-Russians to be set free from 30 people arrested over the action, the group said. less

Greenpeace International activist Alexandra Harris (center), from the United Kingdom, arrives flanked by police at a hearing in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg. Russian court granted bail Wednesday to ... more

Photo: VLADIMIR BARYSHEV / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Anne Mie Roer Jensen (left), from Denmark, wears a t-shirt reading "Save the arctic" during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Greenpeace International activist Anne Mie Roer Jensen (left), from Denmark, wears a t-shirt reading "Save the arctic" during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew ... more

Photo: VLADIMIR BARYSHEV / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Kieron Bryan from the United Kingdom stands behind bars in front of journalists during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Greenpeace International activist Kieron Bryan from the United Kingdom stands behind bars in front of journalists during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew members ... more

Photo: VLADIMIR BARYSHEV / AFP/Getty Images

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Russian photographer Denis Sinyakov kisses his wife Alina as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested campaigners. less

Russian photographer Denis Sinyakov kisses his wife Alina as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested ... more

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Andrey Allakhverdov (center) walks as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested campaigners. less

Greenpeace International activist Andrey Allakhverdov (center) walks as he is released on bail from SIZO 1 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. A Russian court granted bail to twenty ... more

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Alexandre Paul from Canada stands behind bars during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Greenpeace International activist Alexandre Paul from Canada stands behind bars during a hearing at the Primorskiy Court, in Saint Petersburg. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two ... more

Photo: VLADIMIR BARYSHEV / AFP/Getty Images

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A cyclist looks at members of Greenpeace hanging a large poster of Dutch activist Faiza Oulahsen on the office building of Shell in Rotterdam on November 21, 2013. Russia arrested Oulahsen along with 29 other crew members of the Arctic Sunrise after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

A cyclist looks at members of Greenpeace hanging a large poster of Dutch activist Faiza Oulahsen on the office building of Shell in Rotterdam on November 21, 2013. Russia arrested Oulahsen along with 29 other ... more

Photo: MARTIJN BEEKMAN / AFP/Getty Images

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Members of Greenpeace hang a large poster of Dutch activist Faiza Oulahsen on the office building of Shell during a protest calling for the release of the "Arctic 30" in Rotterdam on November 21, 2013. Russia arrested Oulahsen along with 29 other crew members of the Arctic Sunrise after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Members of Greenpeace hang a large poster of Dutch activist Faiza Oulahsen on the office building of Shell during a protest calling for the release of the "Arctic 30" in Rotterdam on November 21, 2013. Russia ... more

Photo: MARTIJN BEEKMAN / AFP/Getty Images

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A handout picture released by Greenpeace shows Greenpeace International activist Camila Speziale from Argentina (R) being released on bail from the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, 2013. Russia released several Greenpeace activists on bail as President Vladimir Putin said the group had noble motives for their Arctic protest. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

A handout picture released by Greenpeace shows Greenpeace International activist Camila Speziale from Argentina (R) being released on bail from the SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg on November 21, ... more

Photo: IGOR PODGORNY / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International activist Tomasz Dziemianczuk, one of the "Arctic 30," carries his belongings as he is released on bail from SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. Russian court granted bail to twenty arrested campaigners. Russia had held 30 crew members of the Arctic Sunrise for over two months after activists in September scaled an oil rig in the Barents Sea owned by energy giant Gazprom. less

Greenpeace International activist Tomasz Dziemianczuk, one of the "Arctic 30," carries his belongings as he is released on bail from SIZO 5 detention centre in Saint Petersburg, on November 21, 2013. Russian ... more

Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise ship is moored in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. The Dutch-flagged Greenpeace ship was seized last month by Russian security forces in a commando-style operation in Arctic waters following a protest at a Gazprom oil rig. All the 30 people who were aboard the ship during the protest, the so-called 'Arctic 30', are now in custody in Murmansk region charged with piracy, punishable for up to 15 years in jail. (DMITRI SHAROMOV/AFP/Getty Images) less

Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise ship is moored in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. The Dutch-flagged Greenpeace ship was seized last month by Russian security forces in a commando-style operation in Arctic ... more

Photo: DMITRI SHAROMOV / AFP/Getty Images

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Handout picture released by Greenpeace shows the bail hearing for Greenpeace International activist Anne Jensen from Denmark at the Murmansk Regional Court on October 18, 2013. Anne Jensen is one of the 'Arctic 30' who are now in custody charged with piracy, punishable for up to 15 years in prison. Eleven Nobel Peace Prize winners have called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure that "excessive charges of piracy" laid against 30 Greenpeace activists are dropped, Greenpeace said today. AFP PHOTO / GREENPEACE / DMITRI SHAROMOV
IMAGE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD BY EXTERNAL MEDIA FOR 14 DAYS AFTER RELEASE -- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / GREENPEACE / DMITRI SHAROMOV" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVEDMITRI SHAROMOV/AFP/Getty Images less

Handout picture released by Greenpeace shows the bail hearing for Greenpeace International activist Anne Jensen from Denmark at the Murmansk Regional Court on October 18, 2013. Anne Jensen is one of the ... more

Photo: DMITRI SHAROMOV / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace activists demonstrate in front of the Russian consulate general in Hong Kong Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. The activists protested against the rulings of a Russian court that led to the jailing of the environmental group's activists for a protest near an oil platform in the Arctic. less

Greenpeace activists demonstrate in front of the Russian consulate general in Hong Kong Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. The activists protested against the rulings of a Russian court that led to the jailing of the ... more

Photo: Vincent Yu / Associated Press

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Handout picture released by Greenpeace of Greenpeace International activist Faiza Oulahsen from the Netherlands showing her hand with written on "Free the Artic 30" during a bail hearing at the Murmansk Regional Court on October 18, 2013. Faiza Oulahsen is one of the 'Arctic 30' who are now in custody charged with piracy, punishable for up to 15 years in prison. Eleven Nobel Peace Prize winners have called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure that "excessive charges of piracy" laid against 30 Greenpeace activists are dropped, Greenpeace said today. (ARCHIVEDMITRI SHAROMOV/AFP/Getty Images) less

Handout picture released by Greenpeace of Greenpeace International activist Faiza Oulahsen from the Netherlands showing her hand with written on "Free the Artic 30" during a bail hearing at the Murmansk ... more

Photo: DMITRI SHAROMOV / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace activists protest on September 27, 2013 in front of the Russian embassy in Mexico City, with signs calling for the release of activists from several countries arrested while protesting against the extraction of oil last week in the Arctic. less

Greenpeace activists protest on September 27, 2013 in front of the Russian embassy in Mexico City, with signs calling for the release of activists from several countries arrested while protesting against the ... more

Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP/Getty Images

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Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flairs on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September 27, 2013 in Paris. less

Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flairs on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September ... more

Photo: FRED DUFOUR / AFP/Getty Images

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Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flares on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September 27, 2013 in Paris. less

Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flares on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September ... more

Photo: FRED DUFOUR / AFP/Getty Images

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Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flairs on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September 27, 2013 in Paris. less

Activists of Ukrainian feminist movement Femen hold flairs on a fly boat on the Seine river during a protest in support of 22 crew members of a Greenpeace ship in pre-trial detention in Russia, on September ... more

Photo: FRED DUFOUR / AFP/Getty Images

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Ukrainian journalists and press photographers hold signs calling for the release of photographer Denis Sinyakov during a protest outside the Russian embassy in Kiev on September 27, 2013. A Russian court ordered two Greenpeace International activists, the contracted freelance photographer Denis Sinyakov and the expert Roman Dolgov, both Russian citizens, to be detained for two months over a protest on an Arctic oil platform, as the Netherlands called for the activists' immediate release and threatened legal action against Moscow. less

Ukrainian journalists and press photographers hold signs calling for the release of photographer Denis Sinyakov during a protest outside the Russian embassy in Kiev on September 27, 2013. A Russian court ... more

Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP/Getty Images

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Marking the 30th day of imprisonment of thirty people seized on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, people hold placards with pictures of them as they participate in a vigil outside the Russian Embassy in London, Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. The protesters demanded the release of the group of 30 Greenpeace activists and journalists including six UK nationals, detained in Russia as they held a protest at a Russian oil platform in the Arctic. They are being held in pre-trial detention in the Arctic port of Murmansk, and face charges of piracy, which carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) less

Marking the 30th day of imprisonment of thirty people seized on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, people hold placards with pictures of them as they participate in a vigil outside the Russian Embassy in ... more

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Associated Press

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A Ukrainian journalist holds signs calling for the release of photographer Denis Sinyakov during a protest outside the Russian embassy in Kiev on September 27, 2013. A Russian court ordered two Greenpeace International activists, the contracted freelance photographer Denis Sinyakov and the expert Roman Dolgov, both Russian citizens, to be detained for two months over a protest on an Arctic oil platform, as the Netherlands called for the activists' immediate release and threatened legal action against Moscow. less

A Ukrainian journalist holds signs calling for the release of photographer Denis Sinyakov during a protest outside the Russian embassy in Kiev on September 27, 2013. A Russian court ordered two Greenpeace ... more

Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP/Getty Images

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IRussian photographer Denis Sinyakov is escorted to a court room in Murmansk, Russia. The court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk jailed 28 Greenpeace activists who protested last week near the platform owned by the Russian state energy giant, Gazprom. less

IRussian photographer Denis Sinyakov is escorted to a court room in Murmansk, Russia. The court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk jailed 28 Greenpeace activists who protested last week near the ... more

Photo: Igor Podgorny / Associated Press

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In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards seize the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise and detain the crew following a protest by Greenpeace activists at a Russian oil platform in the Pechora Sea, off the coast of Russia. Greenpeace said Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 that four activists and a journalist who were detained after protesting at a Russian oil platform have been charged with piracy and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. (AP Photo/Greenpeace) less

In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards seize the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards seize the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise, following a protest by Greenpeace activists at a Russian oil platform in the Pechora Sea, off the coast of Russia. Greenpeace said Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 that four activists and a journalist who were detained after protesting at a Russian oil platform have been charged with piracy and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. (AP Photo/Greenpeace) less

In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards seize the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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A Greenpeace activist trusses herself to a gasoline pump at a Gazprom gas station in Berlin on October 2, 2013 to stage a protest against the imprisonment of environment protection campaigners in Russia. Russian investigators charged on October 2, 2013 five Greenpeace campaigners with piracy over an open-sea protest against Arctic oil drilling, the environmental group said, calling the move an "outrage". AFP PHOTO / DPA / MAURIZIO GAMBARINI / GERMANY OUTMAURIZIO GAMBARINI/AFP/Getty Images less

A Greenpeace activist trusses herself to a gasoline pump at a Gazprom gas station in Berlin on October 2, 2013 to stage a protest against the imprisonment of environment protection campaigners in Russia. ... more

Photo: MAURIZIO GAMBARINI / AFP/Getty Images

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A passerby looks at a Greenpeace activist sitting in a cage as another one holds a placard reading "I am 1of the 30" in a protest against the imprisonment of Greenpeace activists in Russia, in downtown Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Thirty Greenpeace members were detained in Russia after they protested last week near a Russian oil drilling platform in the Arctic and can face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) less

A passerby looks at a Greenpeace activist sitting in a cage as another one holds a placard reading "I am 1of the 30" in a protest against the imprisonment of Greenpeace activists in Russia, in downtown Warsaw, ... more

Photo: Alik Keplicz / Associated Press

Image 53 of 76

In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards board the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise, following a protest by Greenpeace activists at a Russian oil platform in the Pechora Sea, off the coast of Russia. Greenpeace said Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 that four activists and a journalist who were detained after protesting at a Russian oil platform have been charged with piracy and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. (AP Photo/Greenpeace) less

In this image provided by Greenpeace on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 and made off a computer screen with a mobile phone camera of video footage recorded on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, Russian Coast Guards board the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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The U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, Peter Willcox, is kept behind bars in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013. A Russian court on Thursday jailed Peter Willcox, a member of the Greenpeace team protesting near an oil platform. less

The U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, Peter Willcox, is kept behind bars in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013. A Russian court on Thursday jailed Peter Willcox, a ... more

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press

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Greenpeace International expert Roman Dolgov stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. A Russian court ordered today two Greenpeace activists, Roman Dolgov and Greenpeace contracted freelance photographer Denis Sinyakov, both Russian citizens, to be detained for two months over a protest on an Arctic oil platform, as the Netherlands called for the activists' immediate release and threatened legal action against Moscow. less

Greenpeace International expert Roman Dolgov stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. A Russian court ordered today two Greenpeace activists, Roman Dolgov and Greenpeace ... more

Photo: IGOR PODGORNY / AFP/Getty Images

Image 56 of 76

Greenpeace International activist from Canada Paul Ruzycki stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk.

Greenpeace International activist from Canada Paul Ruzycki stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk.

Greenpeace International Radio operator Colin Russell from Australia is escorted in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. A Russian court ordered ordered 13 Greenpeace activists to be detained for two months over a high seas protest against Arctic oil drilling, in a criminal case that has caused international concern. less

Greenpeace International Radio operator Colin Russell from Australia is escorted in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk. A Russian court ordered ordered 13 Greenpeace activists to be detained for ... more

Photo: IGOR PODGORNY / AFP/Getty Images

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Greenpeace International campaigner Faiza Oulahsen, from the Netherlands, stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk.

Greenpeace International campaigner Faiza Oulahsen, from the Netherlands, stands in a defendant cage in a court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk.

Dmitry Krivonosov, judge of Russian court, reads the verdict to Peter Willcox, the U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise', in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Dmitry Krivonosov, judge of Russian court, reads the verdict to Peter Willcox, the U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise', in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press

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Greenpeace activist Pisanu Francesco Pierre of France sits in a cage in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Greenpeace activist Pisanu Francesco Pierre of France sits in a cage in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press

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Police officers guard the U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise', Peter Willcox, in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Police officers guard the U.S. captain of the Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise', Peter Willcox, in a court room in Murmansk, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013.

Greenpeace activists pose atop a 'safety pod' on board of the Arctic Sunrise. The Russian Coast Guard is towing the Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, toward the nearest port after armed officers stormed it following a protest against oil drilling in Arctic waters. less

Greenpeace activists pose atop a 'safety pod' on board of the Arctic Sunrise. The Russian Coast Guard is towing the Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, toward the nearest port after armed officers stormed it ... more

Photo: Denis Sinyakov / Associated Press

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Greenpeace climbers Sini Saarela from Finland, Anthony Perrett and Phillip Ball from Britain and Camila Speziale from Argentina sit atop a 'safety pod' on board the Arctic Sunrise. The Russian Coast Guard towed the Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, toward the nearest port after armed officers stormed it following a protest against oil drilling in Arctic waters. less

An inflatable boat with officers of Russian Coast Guard aboard (right) approach Greenpeace International activists during their attempt to climb Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya Arctic oil platform off Russia's north-eastern coast in the Pechora Sea. Russian coastguards arrested two Greenpeace activists who scaled the oil platform owned by state energy giant Gazprom in the Arctic to protest oil drilling in defiance of warning shots, the environmental group and officials said. less

An inflatable boat with officers of Russian Coast Guard aboard (right) approach Greenpeace International activists during their attempt to climb Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya Arctic oil platform off Russia's ... more

Photo: DENIS SINYAKOV / AFP/Getty Images

Image 72 of 76

A Russian Coast Guard officer (center) points a knife at a Greenpeace International activist (left in yellow) as other activists attempt to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom platform in Russia's Pechora Sea, a section of the Barents Sea, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. less

A Russian Coast Guard officer (center) points a knife at a Greenpeace International activist (left in yellow) as other activists attempt to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian ... more

Photo: Denis Sinyakov / Associated Press

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Five activists attempt to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom, in Russia's Pechora Sea, a section of the Barents Sea on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013.

Five activists attempt to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom, in Russia's Pechora Sea, a section of the Barents Sea on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013.

Photo: Denis Sinyakov / Associated Press

Image 74 of 76

An activists attempting to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom platform in Russia's Pechora Sea, a section of the Barents Sea, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. Activists with the environmentalist group were arrested after climbing onto an oil platform in Russia's Arctic waters. less

An activists attempting to climb the "Prirazlomnaya," an oil platform operated by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom platform in Russia's Pechora Sea, a section of the Barents Sea, on Wednesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Denis Sinyakov / Associated Press

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A mask-wearing officer of the Russian Coast Guard (center) points a knife at a Greenpeace International activist (left) during an environmentalists' attempt to climb Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya Arctic oil platform somewhere off Russia's north-eastern coast in the Pechora Sea. less

A mask-wearing officer of the Russian Coast Guard (center) points a knife at a Greenpeace International activist (left) during an environmentalists' attempt to climb Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya Arctic oil platform ... more

Photo: DENIS SINYAKOV / AFP/Getty Images

Image 76 of 76

Russia files piracy charges against Greenpeace

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MURMANSK, Russia — Russia filed piracy charges Tuesday against Greenpeace activists who tried to climb onto an offshore drilling platform in the Arctic owned by the state-controlled gas company Gazprom.

The activists are on a Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise, which was seized last week by the Russian Coast Guard and towed Tuesday into a port near Murmansk.

It was unclear how many of the 30 activists on board face piracy charges, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of 500,000 rubles (about $15,500). The Investigative Committee, Russia’s federal investigative agency, said it would question all those who participated in the protest and detain the “more active” among them.

Two activists tried to climb onto the Prirazlomnaya platform on Thursday and others assisted from small inflatable boats. The Greenpeace protest was aimed at calling attention to the environmental risks of drilling for oil in Arctic waters.

“When a foreign vessel full of electronic technical equipment of unknown purpose and a group of people calling themselves members of an environmental rights organization try nothing less than to take a drilling platform by storm, logical doubts arise about their intentions,” Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said in a statement.

He said the activists posed a danger to the work of the oil platform. “Such activities not only infringe on the sovereignty of a state, but might pose a threat to the environmental security of the whole region,” Markin said.

Greenpeace insists that Russia had no right under international law to board its ship. One activist told The Associated Press that the Coast Guard officers hit and kicked some activists when they stormed the vessel.

The Arctic Sunrise was anchored Tuesday in a small bay near Severomorsk, the home port of Russia’s Northern Fleet, 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Murmansk.